C04143v8 Master of Laws
Award(s): Master of Laws (LLM)CRICOS code: 001125A
Commonwealth supported place?: No
Load credit points: 48
Course EFTSL: 1
Location: City campus
Notes
Students from a non-common law background are also required to enrol in the subject 79708 Contemporary Business Law instead of the subject 78234 Common Law Legal Traditions in their first year of study for 2020.
Overview
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Recognition of prior learning
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course program
Levels of award
Articulation with UTS courses
Other information
Overview
This course gives students the opportunity to build specialist legal skills in their area of professional practice, as well as theoretical and practical research capabilities as they relate to the study of the law.
The degree is highly customisable – students pursue 48 credit points of study based on their personal or professional interests, choosing from a wide range of law electives (such as finance, patent, insurance, human rights, copyright, family, international and common law) and majors (corporate and commercial law, dispute resolution, and intellectual property).
Course content is delivered by a mix of practising law professionals, full-time academic staff and international visiting academics, giving students access to a wide range of expertise and perspectives on the study and practice of law. Cross-institutional study in Australia and overseas is encouraged as part of this degree.
Career options
Specialisation and development of expertise leads to careers in a range of sought-after specialist vocations in the practice of law.
Course intended learning outcomes
| 1.0 | An advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of legal knowledge, including the Australian legal system, social justice, cultural and international contexts, the principles and values of ethical practice, and contemporary developments in law and its professional practice |
| 2.0 | An advanced and integrated capacity to value and promote honesty, integrity, accountability, public service and ethical standards, including an understanding of approaches to ethical decision-making, the rules of professional responsibility, an ability to reflect upon and respond to ethical challenges in practice, and a developing ability to engage in the profession of law and to exercise professional judgment |
| 3.0 | A capacity to think critically, strategically and creatively including an ability to identify and articulate complex legal issues, apply reasoning and research to generate appropriate theoretical and practical responses, and demonstrate sophisticated cognitive and creative skills in approaching complex legal issues and generating appropriate responses |
| 4.0 | Well-developed cognitive and practical skills necessary to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues and demonstrate intellectual and practical skills necessary to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, legal methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions |
| 5.0 | Effective and appropriate professional communication skills, including highly effective use of the English language, an ability to inform, analyse, report and persuade using an appropriate medium and message and an ability to respond appropriately |
| 6.0 | A high level of autonomy, accountability and professionalism, the ability to implement appropriate self-management and lifelong learning strategies, including initiating self-directed work and learning, judgment and responsibility, self-assessment of skills, personal wellbeing and appropriate use of feedback, and a capacity to adapt to and embrace change |
Admission requirements
Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate studies.
A relevant, appropriate first degree is the Bachelor of Laws, or the Juris Doctor, or a Master of Laws or LPAB Diploma in Law, together with a graduate certificate in the discipline of law. Students with a Bachelor of Laws from a non-common law country are required to complete 79708 Contemporary Business Law in their first session of study. Students who have graduated with a Shari'a law degree are not eligible to apply for this course. Admission is at the discretion of the Associate Dean (Education).
Applicants who have completed an LPAB Diploma in Law, but who have not completed a Graduate Certificate in a legal discipline, may be considered for admission, on provision of evidence of a minimum of one year’s experience as a legal practitioner.
Accepted documentation, as evidence of a minimum of one year’s experience as a legal practitioner include: work certificate; letter of employment; or employment contract. The accepted documents of evidence must include the applicant’s period of employment, role/responsibilities and designation.
The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64; or CAE: 176-184.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
International students
Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
Recognition of prior learning
A student in the Master of Laws will receive no more than one quarter of the credit-point value of the Master of Laws (12 credit points) on the basis of a completed award (except in circumstances outlined in the Credit point limits section).
Solicitors with current 'specialist accreditation' from the Law Society of NSW may be granted six credit points of unspecified electives. Unspecified credit points cannot count towards the requirements of a major in the Master of Laws. Students with specialist accreditation who are seeking credit for major subjects should be referred to the faculty for consideration.
More detailed information (including application, credit point limits, time limits, appeal of decision, record of precedent) about Recognition of prior learning in the Master of Laws can be found in postgraduate course information.
Course duration and attendance
The course can be completed in a minimum of one year of full-time or two years of part-time study. Subjects may also be available in Summer session, allowing accelerated progression.
Course structure
Students in this course undertake eight 6-credit-point postgraduate subjects (totalling 48 credit points).
Students may choose to undertake one or two majors by completing at least four subjects (24 credit points) within the area of the major. Students may also choose not to major in a particular area and instead choose eight subjects (48 credit points) from across the major areas.
As part of this course, students must complete the subject 78101 Postgraduate Legal Research. This subject can be included in any of the majors or choice blocks.
Course completion requirements
| Select 48 credit points of options: | 48cp | |
| CBK90400 Options (Law) | 24cp | |
| CBK91084 Options | 24cp | |
| MAJ09390 Corporate and Commercial Law | 24cp | |
| MAJ09425 Dispute Resolution | 24cp | |
| MAJ09400 Intellectual Property | 24cp | |
| Total | 48cp |
Course program
Most subjects are timetabled over a two-year period and consequently not all subjects listed are offered in any one year. The UTS Timetable Planner enables current and future UTS students to view subject timetables.
Levels of award
To qualify for distinction in the Master of Laws, candidates must attain a weighted average mark of 75 per cent across all subjects attempted.
Articulation with UTS courses
Subjects undertaken within the Graduate Certificate in Laws (C11265) are recognised within the Master of Laws. Students enrolled in the graduate certificate may apply to internally transfer to the master's program following successful completion of four core subjects. Candidates are not awarded the graduate certificate but subjects undertaken are applied towards the master's.
Other information
Further information for future students is available on:
telephone +61 2 9514 3660
email law@uts.edu.au
Further information for current students is available on:
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
Ask UTS